Listen to this exclusive performance of "The Wayfaring Stranger" by The Blue Band's founding members, Bob Dorr and Jeff Petersen. The Iowa band is preparing to call it a career after more than three decades on the Iowa music scene.

The Ken Valdez Band, a Blues Challenge winner, is one of 19 acts scheduled to appear at the 2018 Winter Blues Fest in Des Moines.(Photo11: Courtesy photo)

A cool breeze of the blues plans to blow into Iowa’s capital city next February as the annual Winter Blues Festival plots its two-day return to downtown Des Moines.

In its 24th year, the Central Iowa Blues Society-curated festival plans to return Feb. 9 and 10 to the downtown Des Moines Marriott hotel. Music — the event plans to feature jam sessions, showcases and a guitar workshop — kicks off at 5 p.m. on Feb. 9 and 4 p.m. on Feb. 10.

Two-day tickets cost $45 in advance and $50 on show night. Friday tickets cost $25 in advance and Saturday advance tickets run at $30. More information on tickets can be found at cibs.org.